Wilson has been replaced by Mike Delany, and Ta'auso makes way for Brett Mather, in the changes to a backline that misfired badly in the 17-47 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria.
There is just one change in the forward pack, with Hayden Triggs replacing Hoani MacDonald at lock.
MacDonald is on the bench but there is no place in the reserves for either Wilson or Ta'auso, with Blair Stewart getting an immediate chance of action after being flown to South Africa as a replacement for concussed first five-eighth Daniel Bowden.
Wilson has started all but one game for the Highlanders, spending the first half of the season at fullback before moving to his preferred pivot role.
He played steadily in the Highlanders' only win, against the Lions, but was one of many below-par performers against the Bulls.
The Highlanders have struggled to find consistency at first five, which was always possible following the departure of All Black star Nick Evans. They have also kicked poorly for goal, with Wilson in particular guilty of missing crucial penalties.
Bowden has had five starts but occasionally looked out of his depth in his rookie season, while Wilson has started the last three games and Delany started against the Waratahs in the third round.
Delany has seen little action in recent weeks. It is assumed he will have the goal-kicking duties, but he will also need to be more accurate around the field.
He made costly errors in back-to-back losses at Carisbrook, to the Hurricanes and the Waratahs, last month and both were with his boot.
Mather will start just his second game of the season and Triggs his fifth.
Meanwhile, one of the great figures of Otago and Highlanders rugby, former All Black first five Tony Brown, will start for the Stormers against his former side.
Brown's inclusion was one of six changes in the Stormers side, with halfback Bolla Conradie, winger Dylan des Fountain, prop Schalk Ferreira, hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and lock Ross Skeate the other newcomers.
Brown played 83 games for the Highlanders and 70 games for Otago between 1995 and 2004 before going to Japan and two subsequent stints in South Africa.
This is not the first time he has played the Highlanders. Two years ago, he led the Sharks to a 26-18 win at Carisbrook.
Brown is familiar with the Newlands ground. In 1999, he helped the Highlanders to a Super 12 semifinal win against the Stormers, and two years later he was part of an All Black side that beat the Springboks in a Tri-Nations test.
